Combination washing machine and extractor



Feb. 28, 1933. P, E. BARKER 1,899,005

COMBINATION WASHING MACHINE AND EXTRACTOR Filed Jan. 6, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l //v VE/V Toe PEG'CV E enema-e WMM Feb. 28, 1933. P B R 1,899,005

COMBINATION WASHING MACHINE AND EXTRACTOR Filed Jan. 6, 1930 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 14 E i m 55 47 36 3 l7 E 17 1 4 V u 43 52 Ugh Huh f? lli l l E 12 l n [ml H lulu. I M J49 4 I 25 .I 20 54 5/ 5 3 0 0 o o 25* a) 0 0 0) 0 8D Q t 10 i 26 0 (0 I y, a

By W ma Feb. 28, 1933. p, E BARKER 1,899,005

COMBINATION WASHING MACHINE AND EXTRACTOR Filed Jan. 6, 1930 5 Sheets-Shee s Patented Feb. 28,1933

" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE rnnoY' a. BARKER, or snaxnn arrears, OHIO, assrcnoa 'ro THE omnanarna 'wasnme mcnma comramr, or cnnvnnann, 01110, a coaroaarron or OHIO COMBINATION. WASHING MACHINE AND EXTBACTOR Application filed January 6, 1930. Serial No. 418,832.

The principle of the invention is herein explained, and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention particularly relates to combination washing machines and extractors in which the washing liquid is agitated by a motor drivenfan or air propeller and in which the extracting operation is effected by a combination of coaxial inner. and outer air pro pellers which are rotatably connected together by an air clutch. This improved washing machine and extractor is particularly designed to wash small quantities of goods and sundry articles in daily use, such astowcls, silk and linen stockings, diapers, handkerchiefs, lingerie, garments of fine material, etc. The operating mechanism is designed and particularly arran ed and mounted to permit its free removal rom and ready replacement upon the receptacles for contaming the washing liquid and the goods being washed and dried, this operating unit being provided with means affording coyers for said receptacles. The same container serves as a receptacle for the goods both when being washed and being dried, and the same receptacles contain the washlng liquid and catch the extracted water when the goods are being washed and dried.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain means embodying my invention, such means constituting, however, but one of the various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be illustrated.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a central vertical section, partially in elevation, of my improved combination washing machine and extractor, this view particularly showing the mechanism when used as a washing machine; a

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figurel, of the same elements, but showing particularly the use of the mechanism as an extractor;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation, taken .in the plane indicated by the line 3-3, Figure '2';

Figure 4 is a bottom plan, taken in the plaanes indicated by the line 4-,-4, Figure 1; an 1 Figure 5 is a horizontal section, taken in the plane indicated b the line 5-5, Figure 1, with washing liqui and clothes not shown.

Referring to the annexed drawings in which the same parts are indicated by the same respective numbers in the several views, my improved mechanism comprises an opentop outer receptacle 1 having an upper curled flange 2, and formed interiorly and centrally of its bottom with an upwardly-extended internal tubular boss 3within which is resiliently mounted, as upon spring 5, a pointed in 4 serving as a trunnion upon which an mner open-to receptacle 25, hereinafter fully describe may rotate. The outer receptacle 1 is formed adjacent its bottom with a fitting 6 to which may be secured one end of a drainage tube 7, the latter being shown in drainage position in Fi ure 2, and being shown in non-drainage position in Figure 1, in which latter figure this draina e tube 7 is secured at its outer free end to a racket 8 mounted upon the receptacle 1 and adjacent the top thereof, the securing means for the end of the drainage tube 7 being any suitable device such as a wire 9 having an outer hook portion 9. The best operating conditions require substantially a definite amount of water for any given size of receptacle, and the level for such desirable amount of water is indicated on the receptacle 1, such as by means of a corrugated portion 10.

Mounted u on a cover member 11 for the receptacle 1 1s a motor 14 having an elongated motor shaft 15. extended downwardly in the axial line of the receptacle 1, this mounting of the motor 14 upon the cover member 11 being effected in any suitable manner that will permit ready removal of the motor and yet afford a tight joint. The cover member 11 is provided with a downwardlyextended flange 12 of a diameter somewhat less than that of the receptaclel so that this flange can be disposed within the receptacle and in spaced relation thereto, as plainly shownin Figures '1 and 2, there being formed upon the cover member 11 intermediate the top portion thereof and the flange 12 an an nular series of beads 33 contained within a ring of substantially the same diameter as the flange 2, so that the cover member 11 can be supported upon the flange 2 by means of these beads 33, a series of openm 34 to atmosphere thus be" provided or the interior of the recept zl e 1, even when the cover member 11 is in position upon said receptacle 1. These air openings 34 communicate with the chamber 58 between the race tacles 1 and 25, which chamber 58 encircles t e receptacle 25, by means of the restricted p between the receptacle 1 and the flange 12 of the cover 11. For lifting the operating mechanism and the cover member 11 I form upon the latter a pair of diametrically opposed handles 13.

Secured to the bottom outer end of the motor shaft 15 is a series of blades 16 forming an inner fan or air to ller 54 and in spaced relation to the la es 16 and supported from the operating unit and rotatable relatively to the inner air propeller 54 is a series of blades 17 forming an outer air propeller 41. This exact construction and mountin will be hereinafter fully described, but it will here be noted that these pro ller members 54 and 41 are positioned close y adjacent each other and thus operatively connected together by an air clutch so that the rotation of the inner air propeller 54 b the motor shaft 15 will cause a rotation o the outer air propeller 41 in the same direction through the medium of the air clutch. This induced rotation is thus not secured by a rigid connection but is subject to slippage so that the air pro ellers 54 and 41 can rotate relatively to eac other. The outer air propeller 41 is secured to a cover member 18 of the inner rece tacle by means of screws 24, as hereina r described in detail. This inner cover member 18 is formed with an annular central flange 19 of substantially the semi-reentrant shape shown in Figures 1 and 2, and with an outer downwardly extended flange 22 of such a curved formation as to accommodate a tubular rubber ring 23 which is retained thereon and also upon a peripheral head formed upon the top of the inner receptacle 25, b means of an outer downwar ly-extende flange 49 formed upon a diaphragm 48 hereinafter fully described. The flange 49 is formed with a peripheral bead and the diaphr m 48 is formed with a central opening 51 w ose axis is substantially in alignment with the motor shaft 15. The actual securing together of the outer air propeller 41 and the cover member 18 by the screws 24 is effected by means of a ring plate 52 which is cast as a part of the air propeller 41 and connects the bottom peripheral edges of the blades 17 of the latter, t e screws 24 passing through the cover member 18 and the diaphragm 48 and being threaded in said ring plate 52.

Brazed or otherwise suitably secured to the inner bottom surface of the inner rece tacle 25 is a central tubular column 26 form with a pluralit of openings 27 through which water an air may freely pass between the chamber 61 within the tubular column 26 and the outer surroundin chamber in the inner receptacle 25. latter receptacle is mounted upon the sprin -mounted pin 4 by means of a bearing mem r suitably secured to the receptacle 25 and havin a body sleeve portion 28 surrounding and ightly spaced rom the pin 4 and an upper bearing portion 29, the body member 28 being also ormed with a laterally extended flange 30 providing a broad base for the su port of the rotatable inner receptacle 25. The bottom of the inner receptacle 25 is formed with a plurality of annular series of holes 31 and another annular series of holes 32 is formed in the side of said rece tacle 25 adjacently above the level of the ottom of the said receptacle 25.

The actual connection and mountin of the inner and outer air pro llers is as ollows: Downwardl extended mm the motor frame is a cylindrical tubular housin member 36 and within the latter but spa therefrom is contained the motor shaft 15. This ho v 36 is provided with an inner ball race 37 adapted to cooperate with an outer ball race 38 provided within a cup shaped member 39 having a flange 53 by means of which it is secured to the central body member of the outer air pro ller 41 throu h the medium of screws 40.. low the be] races 37 and 38 is a metal washer 43 which is formed with an upper peri heral bead by means of which it engages t e outer ball race 38. Below the washer 43 is a fabric grease-retaining ring' 42. The metal washer 43 at the inner side 18 somewhat spaced from the inner ball race 37 so that the latter ball race and said washer 43 can turn relatively to each other. Above the ball races 37 and 38 is a metal washer 46 similar to the washer 43 and above the washer 46 is a second fabric grease-retaining ring 47, this washer 46 also en 'ng the outer ball race 38 and being sli s seed from the inner ball race 37. T e who e constructionforms a self-aligning ball bearing well known to those versed in the art. The central body member of the inner air propeller 54 is threaded up tightly on an extension 15' of the motor shaft 15 to a shoulder 55 formed upon said motor shaft, a collar 56 being provided, as shown, to enlarge the area of the shoulder 55 on the shaft 15.

Referring to the aforegoing description and the accompanying drawings, I will now describe the operation of my im roved combination washing machine an extractor. Assuming that the central receptacle 25 has been mounted upon the 'ournal pin 4, I place in this receptacle a suita 1e quantity of soiled garments 59 to be washed and then add water l5 the diaph'ragm48 passing down over the tubular rubber ring 23 whichseats upon the bead 35' and against the flange 22, the annular seriesfofbeads' 33 upon the cover 11 resting upon the flange 2 of the outer receptacle 1.

Referring now particularly to Figure 1, upon switching on the electric current and startin the motor 14 the air is rapidly exhausted through perforations 27 and tubular column 26 from the chamber 60 within the inner receptacle 25' and, assuming-that the water is present to the proper depth'and the motor starts at normal speed, as'the air is exhausted and the air pressure reduced around the air propeller 54, the motor will pick up or increase its speed correspondingly. When the pressure within the chamber 60 is approximately a quarter of a pound lower than atmospheric pressure, the water inside of the chamber 60 is at a higher elevation than normal and the water in the'annular space 58 between the receptacles 1 and 25 has been lowered to approximately the level of the annular series of holes 32. Thus the water seal will be broken and air will rush in suddenly in volume through the openings 32 and pass upwardly through the water and into the chamber 60 and thence into the chamber 61. A' substantial amount of air is thus drawn in suddenly which agitates the water and induces a washing action. The inrush of air places an additional load on the constantly revolving air propeller 54 and decreases its speed, so that the pressure inside and outside of thereceptacle 25 is momentarily equalized which permits the water to drop instantly within the chamber 60 and rise rapidly in the outer space or chamber 58. Rapid changes in the pressure by the sudden breaking of the water seal causes agitation and regurgitation of the water and the goods to such an appre ciable extent that the goods will be thoroughly washed in a very short time, for instance, substantially fifteen minutes in standard practice, the actual time, of course, de ending upon the degree to which the go s are soiled, the cleansing agent used, whether hot or boiling water is employed, and other factors. The air propeller 54 thus runs continuously at varying speeds. The effect of the air passing through the airp'ropeller 54 is to cause a clutching action upon the blades 17, causing the latter to gradually pick up, and increase speed of, rotation in the same direction as that in which the blades 16 are moving, this rotation of the air propeller 41 effecting a rotation of the inner receptacle 25 and the contained goods, which rotation of the inner receptacle does not operate as a material factor during the washing operation. This rotation of the inner receptacle 25 is utilized during the extracting operation and the fact that this receptacle '25 also rotates during the washing operation is not material. The driving of the inner receptacle 25 by the air propeller 41 is effected b frictional engagement of the rubber annular ring 23 with the bead 35 upon the receptacle 25'. The operating unit rests upon the bead'35 and the effect of the spring-mounting at the bottom 'of the receptacle 25 is to provide a resilient frictional driving engagement. The resiliency of the spring 5 serves to take up any wear and to provide suitable engagement at all times. Slippage is also possible between the rotatable receptacle 25 and the annular ring 23, but does not actually take place to any considerable extent, most of the slippage occur.

ring in the air clutch between the coaxial air propellers. Furthermore, the effect of the pressure in the fan chamber, which periodi cally is greater than that of the pressure in the chamber 60, is to cause thediaphragm 18 and hence the annular rubber ring 23 to be pressed downwardly and thus effect periodically a greater frictional engagement between the ring 23 and the receptacle 25 and thus proportionately more certainly insure the rotation of the receptacle 25 by the air propeller 41.

After the goods 59 have been washed to the extent desired, the drainage tube 7 is released from the bracket 8 and the water allowed to drain from the receptacle 1, the motor 14 being permitted to continue its operation even during this draining operation, if desired,and then the extraction of the water from the goods is commenced by the centrifugal action upon the goods 59 induced by the rotation of'the receptacle 25. Referring particularly to Figure 2, it will be noted that most of the water will be thrown out through the annular series of holes 32, but it can also drain out through the bottom holes 31, the water constantly leaving the machine through the drainage pipe 7. During this action air is constantly circulated, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2. Within a short time the water in the clothes 59, Figure 2, will have been extracted to such an extent that the latter are damp-dry. I

The air spaces or passages 34 which are provided at the seating rim of the cover member 11 prevent the building up of pressure beyond atmospheric pressure within the fan chamber 62 and consequently there is no leakage of steam or water from this chamher to the motor chamber. During the washing operation a recirculation of heated vapor is effected and the heat is conserved. since the escape of air between the seating beads 33 is very slight, the noticeable effect being a slight pulsating action. Soap suds entering the fan chamber are thrown over the diaphragm 48 and escape into the annular space 58.

The tubular column 26 and the cover member 18 serve as baflle members to prevent light pro ller being spaced by an air gap from the materials being drawn into the fan chamber. Also, of course, the shape and position of the top of the column 26 and the central openin through the diaphragm 48 provide a suite le passage for the air into the fan chamber 62. The cover 18 and diaphragm 48 also serve to prevent an undue amount of vapor and suds being drawn into the air propeller 54.

I direct particular attention to the fact that the series of holes 27 in the tubular column 26 are extended to the bottom of said column. This is quite an important consideration in the best working of my device inasmuch as it seems greatly to assist in the retaining of the clothes in substantially annular formation around the outer periphery of the column 26, preventing ballooning of the clothes and thus the ineffective washing sition of the latter adjacent the cover mem r 18 and the upper surface of the column 26. The reason that the provision of the perforations 27 substantially at the bottom of the column 26 serves to prevent ballooning of the clothes and ineffective operations seems to be that when the clothes 59 tend to balloon or actually do close some of the perforations 27 adjacent the top of the column 26, the air enters the perforations below the clothes thus ballooned and wrapped around the top of the column 26 and t us decreases the presure in the upper part of the chamber 60 around the ballooned clothes so that the latter drop back into the water and air again can enter throu h the perforations adjacent the top of the co umn 26. In extreme cases of a tendency to balloon, the above effect seems to operate to an extent resulting in a1r bemg drawn into the column 26 uite a distance down this column and to sue an extent that the provision of the perforations 27 substantiall to the bottom of the column seems advisa le.

What I claim is:

1. A combination washing machine and extractor comprising outer and inner receptacles forming an inner chamber and a chamber encircling said inner chamber, the outer rece tacle being adapted to retain a washing fiuld and the inner receptacle having a plurality of perforations adjacent its bottom portion permitting fluid flow between said chambers, means mounting said inner receptacle for rotation in said outer receptacle, covers for said receptacles, means forming a restricted opening to the atmosphere adjacent the top of said outer receptacle,

a rotary suction air propeller for withdrawing air from the inner chamber, the cover of the inner receptacle being apertured opposite the inlet side of said air propeller, means for operating said air propeller, a second air propeller rotatable relative to the first air propeller, the discharge side of the first air inta e of the second air propeller so that said air propellers are interconnected by an air clutch, means inducing the rotation'of said inner receptacle from the rotation of said second air propeller, the discharge side of the second air propeller being open to said encircling chamber, and means for draining said outer receptacle.

2. A combination washing machine and extractor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner receptacle frictionally 0 gas the second air ropeller for rotation t erewith.

3. A com ination washing machine and extractor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a tubular resilient ring member frictionally engages the inner neoe tacle and the second air propeller to induce t e rotation of said receptacle by said propeller.

4. A combination washing machine and extractor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the two air propellers are coaxial and the first air propeller is disposed between the inner edges of the blades of the second air prope er.

5. A combination washing machine and extractor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the two covers, the two air propellers, and the means for operating the first air propeller are secured together as a single portable unit.

6. An operating unit for a combination washing machine and extractor having a rotatable receptacle, comprising a motor having an extended shaft, a suction air propeller rotatably secured to said shaft, and a second air propeller rotatably mounted on said shaft and adapted to contact said receptacle for rotation therewith, the discharge side of the first air propeller being spaced by an air gap from the intake of the second air propeller so that said air air clutc 7. An operating unit for a combination washing machine and extractor, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the two air propellers are coaxial and the first air propeller is disposed between the inner edges of the blades of the second air propeller.

8. An extractor unit for laundry appliances comprising a receptacle adapted for rotation and having water-exit openings, a rotary air propeller, means for supporting and operating said air propeller a second air propeller rotatable relative to the first air propeller, the discharge side of the first air propeller being spaced by an air gap from the intake of the second air propeller so that said air propellers are interconnected by an air clutch, and means inducing the rotation of said receptacle from the rotation of said second air propeller.

9. An extractor unit for laundry a pliances, as setforth in claim 8, wherein t e receptacle frictionally engages the second air propeller for rotation therewith.

propellers are interconnected by an 10. An extractor unit for laundry appliances, as set forth in claim 8, wherem a tubular resilient ring member frictionally engages the receptacle and the second air propeller to induce the rotation of said receptacle by said propeller.

, means and coaxial with and surrounding said first air propeller, said air propellers being closely spaced so as to induce the rotation of the second air propeller from the rotation of the first air propeller by means of an air clutch, and frictional drive means secured to 7 said second air propeller and adapted to contact said receptacle for inducing the rotation of said receptacle from the rotationof said second air propeller said drive means permitting a slippage between the second air propeller and the receptacle.

12. A combination washing machine and extractor comprising an open-top outer receptacle, an inner receptacle spaced from the latter at the bottom and sides and formed with a plurality of openings adjacent its bottom which permit fluid flow between the chambers of said receptacles, means mounting said inner receptacle for rotation within said outer receptacle, a cover for said outer receptacle, means providing free access to the atmosphere from the chamber of said outer receptacle and adjacent the top of the latter, a motor having a depending shaft mounted on said cover, a tubular column having perforations in its side wall and seated on the inside of the bottom of said inner receptacle and extended upwardly to a point adjacent the shaft of said motor, the top of said column being open, a suction air propeller rotatably secured to the motor shaft, a second air propeller rotatably mounted on said motor shaft, means for inducing the rotation of said second air propeller from the rotation of said first air propeller, both of said air propellers being contained within the confines of said cover a second cover for said inner receptacle which has an opening through which said column extends, means securing said second air propeller to the inner receptacle for normal rotatable engagement therewith but permitting slippage therebetween, and means for draining said outer receptacle.

13. A combination washing machine and extractor, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the perforations in the side wall of the tubular column are scattered throughout the length of the latter, thus preventing ballooning of the articles being treated.

14. A combination washing machine and extractor, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the means providing the free access to'the atmosphere consist of an annulus of spaced beads formed upon the bottom of the rim of the cover for the outer receptacle and wherein said last-mentioned cover is formed with a downwardly-extended peripheral flange of slightly less diameter than the diameter of the outer receptacle and adapted to form in the latter and adjacent the top thereof a narrow recess communicating with the spaces between said beads and with the space between the spaced receptacles.

15. A combination washing machine and extractor comprising an open-top outer receptacle, an inner receptacle spaced from the latter at the bottom and sides and formed with a plurality of openings in its bottom and in its side adjacent the bottom, said openings permitting fluid flow between the chambers of said receptacles, means mount ing said inner receptacle for rotation within said outer receptacle, a cover for said outer receptacle, means providing free access to the atmosphere from the chamber of saidouter receptacle and adjacent the top of the latter, a motor mounted on said cover and having an elongated shaft extended toward the chamber of said inner receptacle, atubular column having perforations in its side wall and seated on the inside of the bottom of said inner receptacle and extended upwardly to a point adjacent the outer end of said extended motor shaft, the top of said column being open, a suction air propeller rotatably secured to said extended motor shaft, a second air propeller rotatably mounted on said motor shaft, surrounding and spaced from the blades of the first shaft, so that said air propellers are interconnected by an air clutch, both of said air propellers being contained within the confines of said cover, a second cover for said inner receptacle secured to the blades of the second air propeller and having an opening through which said column extends, means securing said second cover to the inner receptacle for normal rotatable engagement therewith but permitting slippage therebetween, and means for draining said outer receptacle.

16. A combination washing machine and extractor, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the means providing the free access to the atmosphere consist of an annulus of spaced beads formed upon the bottom of the rim of the cover for the outer receptacle and wherein said last-mentioned cover is formed with a downwardly-extended peripheral flange of slightly less diameter than the diameter of the outer receptacle and adapted to form in the latter and adjacent the top thereof a narrow recess communicating with the space between said beads and with the space between the spaced receptacles.

17 A washing and extracting unit for an open-top liquid receptacle comprising a container for the articles to be treated having a plurality of perforations ad acent its hotto .n portion said container being adapted for rotation and having a tubular column seated on the inside of the bottom of said container, said column having perforations n its side wall, a cover for said container, saidcolumn bein extended upwardly through said cover and being open at the top, said container bein connected to and normally rotatable with said cover, an air propeller secured to said cover, a motor, a housing member upon which said motor is mounted, said housing member for in combination with said cover and with said container, a lower washing and extracting chamber and an upper air propeller chamber, said motor having an extended shaft projecting into said air propeller chamber, said air propeller being rotatably mounted on said motor shaft, a second air propeller secured to said motor shaft opposite the upper open end of said column, and means for actuatin said first air propeller from said second air propeller.

18. A washing and extracting unit for an 0 n-top liquid receptacle, as set forth in c aim 17, wherein the connection between the container and the cover comprises a resilient member therebetween which permits slippage between said container and cover.

19. A washing and extracting unit for an 0 n-to li uid receptacle, as set forth in c aim 1 wherein the rotatable relation between the container and the cover is induced by frictional engagement therebetween and wherein resilient means are interposed for causing said frictional engagement.

20. washing and extracting unit for an o n-to 1i uid receptacle, as set forth in c aim 1 w erein the means for rotatably securing together the container and cover comprise interenga ing rim flanges formed on the container an cover and a tubular rubber gasket mounted between said flan 21. A washing and extracting unit if)? an o n-to Ingrid receptacle, as set forth in c im 1 w erein the means for actuating the first air propeller from the second a'ir propeller com uses an air clutch, the two air propellers ing coaxial and the second air propeller bein disposed between the inner edges of the b ades of the first air propeller but spaced therefrom.

22. A washing and extracting unit for an open-top li uid receptacle comprising a container for t e articles to be treated having a plurality of perforations adjacent its bottom portion, said container being adapted for rotation, a cover for said container, said container being rotatably connected to said cover by frictional engagement through the medium of a rubber member interposed therebetween, an air propeller secured to said cover, a motor, a housing member upon which said motor is mounted, said housing member forming, in combination with said cover and with said container, a lower washing and extracting chamber and an upper air propeller chamber, said motor having an extended shaft pro'ecting into said air propeller chamber, sai air propeller being rotatably mounted upon said motor shaft, and a second air propeller secured to said motor shaft, said cover being formed with an openin op- Eosite said second air pro eller to permit exaustion of air from sai washin chamber to said propeller chamber, the disc arge side of said second air propeller being s aced from the intake of said rst air propel er so that said air propellers are interconnected by an air clutch, the difference in pressure between said air propeller chamber and said washing! and extracting chamber serving to insure t e frictional engagement of said container and said cover.

Signed by me this 31st day of December,

PERCY E. BARKER. 

